Lawrence Shankland has earned 16 caps for Scotland.
Heart of Midlothian are set to embark on a pre-season training camp in Spain this weekend, with their season opener against Dunfermline Athletic scheduled for July 12.
Notably absent from the traveling squad is key striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract with the club concludes at the end of the month.
Since his return to Hearts in 2022, Shankland has solidified his position as one of the Scottish Premiership’s most consistent goalscorers.
He has tallied 68 goals in 137 appearances across all competitions for Hearts, maintaining a remarkable goal-per-game ratio.
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Shankland’s impressive form and contract situation have fueled speculation surrounding the Scotland international. While a potential move to Rangers did not materialize, links to West Bromwich Albion appear to have cooled.
New Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has expressed his strong desire to retain Shankland, with ongoing discussions between the player and the club regarding a new deal.
Optimism is high among Hearts supporters after Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom finalized a £9.86m deal to acquire a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club.
The question remains whether Shankland will pursue a move to England or abroad, or if he will choose to be part of Bloom’s “disruption” and continue to lead the Hearts attack next season.
The fact that Shankland has not explicitly stated his intention to leave provides cause for optimism for both McInnes and Hearts fans.
McInnes has made it clear he is excited about the prospect of working with the 29-year-old. Will Shankland commit to the club’s new direction under the new team boss?
Hearts will hope that the opportunity to contribute to their evolving project, guided by the experienced McInnes and supported by Bloom’s influence, will be enough to convince their star player to stay.
However, the uncertainty surrounding Shankland’s future has been further amplified by his absence from McInnes’ squad traveling to Spain.
“I genuinely believe Lawrence, as part of a strong Hearts team, can elevate himself further,” McInnes stated earlier this week.
“I think he’s capable of scoring 25-30 goals a season within the right team structure and when utilized effectively.”
“We can provide stability. We can offer the opportunity to build a team and be an integral part of a team striving for success.”
With Bloom aiming to “disrupt the pattern of domination which has been in place for far too long” in Scottish football, there is an expectation that Hearts will be active in the transfer market.
The club has already added right-back Christian Borchgrevink, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, striker Claudio Braga, centre-half Stuart Findlay, and midfielder Oisin McEntee during the early stages of the window, while Elton Kabangu has secured a permanent deal after a loan spell last season.
Beyond the ambition of the McInnes-Bloom project, the prospect of remaining under the close observation of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke would be an additional benefit for Shankland to remain in Edinburgh.
Goals are critical.
“When you get the ball into dangerous areas, Lawrence Shankland will capitalize,” former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart commented on Sportscene at the end of last season.
“A player who is capable of consistently scoring 20-plus goals a season is a rare find.”
Stewart’s assessment is accurate. Shankland has surpassed the 20-goal mark in the Premiership twice in the past three seasons, a feat unmatched by any other player.
Kyogo Furuhashi accomplished it once for Celtic, Cyriel Dessers once for Rangers, and Kevin van Veen once for Motherwell.
Furthermore, Shankland brings experience and leadership, having captained Hearts during goalkeeper Craig Gordon’s extended injury absence.
He has accumulated over 150 Premiership appearances in addition to his 16 caps for Scotland.
Had Shankland’s contract expired 12 months prior, a host of suitors would likely have been vying for his signature on a free transfer, given his prolific goal-scoring record in the 2023-24 season, during which he scored 31 goals across all competitions.
The season that just concluded was less prolific, and as he approaches 30, Shankland is likely considering the number of high-profile moves or lucrative contracts remaining in his career.
“He’s at a stage in his career where he’s looking to maximize his earning potential, which is completely understandable,” Stewart explained.
This likely explains why Hearts have yet to receive a response from him regarding their contract offer.
However, the absence of a completed deal suggests that any alternative offers received by Shankland have not been entirely to his satisfaction. With pre-season preparations about to commence, a resolution is expected in the coming days.
Steven Naismith, who managed Hearts during Shankland’s prolific 2023-24 season, added: “Like any player, there are more options when you’re out of contract.
“It provides an opportunity to evaluate what’s best for you at this stage in your career, but he’ll undoubtedly want the situation resolved before pre-season begins.”
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